Napthens Marks International Women’s Day with “Give to Gain” Events In Manchester and Liverpool Offices

To celebrate this International Women’s Day, Napthens welcomed university students into its Manchester and Liverpool offices for two “Give to Gain” events designed to inspire confidence, connection and career insight, while reinforcing the firm’s commitment to widening participation in the legal profession.

Rooted in the belief that when women thrive, organisations, clients and communities all benefit, the events explored how access, visibility and opportunity drive progress, leading to stronger decision‑making, healthier workplace cultures and better long‑term outcomes for the profession as a whole.

Opening Doors to the Legal Profession

Students from Manchester Metropolitan University and Liverpool John Moores University joined senior women leaders and male allies from across the firm for open, practical discussions about career progression, inclusive leadership and the realities of working in law.

By opening its offices and facilitating direct, face‑to‑face conversations with experienced practitioners, Napthens aimed to demystify legal career pathways and make progression feel more visible and attainable. The sessions created space for honest questions, relatable stories and grounded advice, helping students see how different routes into law take shape in practice, not just in theory.

Please visit our Opening Doors page for more insight into Napthens’ social mobility initiatives.

Shared Experience, Real Insight

Panel discussions focused on navigating key career moments, overcoming challenges and the role of allyship in creating equitable environments. Panellists shared personal experiences of career inflection points, moments where advocacy, visible credit or informal sponsorship changed what became possible.

A consistent theme emerged across both events: that small, intentional “gives” — sharing insight, opening doors, offering encouragement — can have a transformative impact on confidence and opportunity, particularly early in a career.

Building Confidence and Capability

Each event concluded with a focused skills session centred on authentic confidence, resilience and managing imposter feelings, the very capabilities students say help them feel prepared and empowered as they consider a future in the legal sector.

Grounded in lived experience rather than abstract advice, these workshops reinforced the idea that confidence is not about perfection, but about preparedness, self‑belief and having access to the right conversations at the right time.

Widening Participation and Strengthening Social Mobility

While firmly rooted in the spirit of International Women’s Day, the events also supported Napthens’ wider commitment to social mobility and community outreach. As a north west firm deeply connected to its local communities, Napthens recognises that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always evenly distributed.

By improving access to senior leaders, increasing visibility of career routes and creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for dialogue, the firm continues to work towards making the legal profession more accessible to those who may not traditionally see it as open to them.

Allyship in Action

Allyship emerged as a key theme across both events, with panellists highlighting the responsibility leaders have to use their influence intentionally. Practical examples shared included amplifying voices in meetings, sharing credit publicly and advocating for others in decision‑making spaces.

The message was clear: advancing gender equity is not the responsibility of women alone. Sustainable progress depends on collective action, embedded into everyday behaviours and organisational culture.

Small Gives, Big Gains

The events brought the “Give to Gain” ethos to life — demonstrating how sharing knowledge, access and experience strengthens individuals, organisations and the profession as a whole.

By investing time, insight and openness in the next generation, Napthens continues to build a culture where opportunity is more visible, confidence is nurtured and progress is shared.

Watch Napthens Podcast on International Womens Day 2026